Beach activities & water safety advice from the Old Head Beach Lifeguards Cork

Activities at Garretstown Beach – A jewel on the County Cork Coast. 

By Barry Lawton, Senior Beach Lifeguard, Garretstown Beach, Old Head, Kinsale.

Garrettstown beach is very popular beach located near the Old Head of Kinsale, in County Cork.


As the beach itself is quite exposed to the elements, it regularly receives swell throughout the year. In turn this results in the regular formation of sand bars, rip currents and holes on the beach, which can form in a matter of days or even overnight after stormy conditions. These hazards are typically hidden or overlooked to the uneducated or untrained. Therefore, vigilance and precaution should always be exercised when entering the sea, especially a dynamic beach such as Garrettstown.

Given the high volume of traffic the beach receives and the limited confines of the beach, different water activities are segregated into zones on the beach to limit the occurrence of collisions and injuries.   The Lifeguard’s designated bathing area, clearly signified by the two red over yellow flags, is the appropriate area for swimmers or bodyboarders only. This area is the safest part of the beach for these activities as it placed away from hazards such as currents and holes. It is chosen by the lifeguards every morning depending on the conditions and can be adjusted or moved during the day as conditions and tides change. Surfers, kayakers and windsurfers must remain outside this zone, as breaching this they not only violate the Cork County Council’s Beach Bye Laws but place other water users at risk of injury.

Surf Schools on Garrettstown beach, have their own individual zones, marked out by black and white chequered flags. These zones are intended to be used for their surf lessons and other beginner surfers. It is best practice for other water users to either stay outside these zones or to go further out beyond the surf lessons in these zones.

Lastly, kite surfers are not permitted to launch or to surf into Garrettstown beach due to the number of users on the beach. The neighbouring beach of Garrylucas is far better suited to for this activity, as it typically has fewer people in the water and the beach itself is far bigger.

• Red over Yellow Flag = Swimming Zone.
• Red Flag = Unsafe for swimming.
• Black & White Chequered Flags = Surfing Zone.
• No Flag = No Lifeguards on duty.
• Swim between the red & yellow flags close & parallel to the shore.
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times around water.
• Read safety information & warning signs prior to entering the water.